Smooth sailing from Malaysia (Issue 9, 2011)
Ramiaida researches ESL teaching methods
Having a lot of support from fellow Malaysian students enrolled at La Trobe helped Ramiaida Darmi settle in the new Australian environment a lot quicker than expected. Ramiaida had plenty of friendly tips and advice to benefit from, not to mention patience and support from her supervisors.
A PhD student whose research focus is teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), Ramiaida believes that the supervision and support she is receiving from La Trobe academics is one of the most valuable things she is taking away from her study.
Ramiaida is in the third year of her PhD and her passion about her research area is immediately apparent. As an international student, she believes her experience can add to her insight into ESL.
‘Being an international student, and having English as my second language, I am concerned with how other ESL learners learn the language in a different environment. I hope that by experiencing other cultures in Australia, I will be able to gain more input for my research and contribute to the knowledge in the field in the future,’ says Ramiaida.
As a teacher of English, Ramiaida’s goal is to assist ESL students to be more efficient in learning English, but also to enjoy the process.
‘With my research I propose a framework that allows students to use their first language while learning English. This, however, must be monitored by the teachers at all times. If this can help ESL learners improve their English in any way, I feel that ESL teachers should not restrict students’ use of their native language in the ESL classroom,’ she explains.
In pursuing her research goals, Ramiaida recognises the University’s supportive research facilities and environment.
‘There is help from the faculty, library and even with internet sources to help me in my research. I am able to access research resources not only from La Trobe but also from other universities in Australia and New Zealand. I am also able to access a variety of publications online which help me stay updated with current research in my area.’
Ramiaida hopes that her research degree will open the way for her to be acknowledged as an expert in the field in the next few years and the possibility for her to be an international academic and researcher.